Page 115 of Traded

Lauren looks flustered as he stands beside her, talking to a confused-looking Ness. “Excuse me for a minute.”

“Don’t leave me,” Benji mutters.

Jonas looks surprised when I slide my hand through his arm after making my way through the crowd. “Hey. What are you doing here?”

Well, that’s not awkward.

I plaster a smile on my face and turn to the others.

“Rosie!” Ness gives me a quick kiss on each cheek. “You look stunning.”

“So do you.” Her signature scarlet is displayed in a strapless, figure-hugging number that I eye with envy.

Ness preens. “Iknow.”

My fingers tighten on Jonas. Lauren stares down into her drink. “Our table is ready. You don’t mind if I steal him, right?”

Lauren shakes her head. She looks grateful for the rescue. “Not at all.”

“Great!” I pull him with me, and Jonas is forced to follow or make a scene. His irritation prickles over me as we make our way to the table. Liam watches us approach from his seat next to Noah. Only Carter is still missing.

An announcement comes over the PA system to take our seats.

“I’ll get him,” Benji says easily when I push out my chair again. “Sit down, Ro.”

“Thanks.”

I settle back, breaking into applause with everyone else as Ronnie steps up on the podium. When Carter finally slips into the seat beside mine, it’s barely in time. “Are we good?”

“Great.” He kisses the side of my head. “Excellent, actually.”

“Good evening, everyone!” Ronnie Egerton leans into the microphone. Her braids are perfectly wrapped into her bun, her dress a gorgeous shade of silver. She catches my eye and grins as applause fills the room. “We come together tonight to raise much needed funds for the Equal Playing Field program. EPF is based on exactly that—that every child deserves a safe and stable childhood, with access to the activities and support they not only need but want to thrive in adulthood. No child should be disadvantaged from accessing opportunities in education, sport, theatre, music or any other area because of their family circumstances. Every child deserves an equal playing field.”

Carter’s hand finds my nape, and I lean into him.

“Our annual program starts tonight and will be ongoing throughout the year,” Ronnie continues. “Particular thanks go to the Blackwater Titans, who will be hosting this year’s highly anticipated Teddy Bear Toss at their upcoming game against the Blackwater Aces.”

Cheers ring out from my table and others.

“Half of the soft toys received on the night will be gifted to children undergoing treatment at Blackwater General, and the other half will be received by children undergoing foster care placements with CPS, many of whom are forced to leave their homes at short notice, moved from placement to placement with often very little to take with them. Your support in this and all of our plans is gratefully received.”

A hand slips over mine, squeezing. I turn my palm and Jonas links our fingers together beneath the table, running his thumb over the back of my hand.

I use my other hand to dash at my cheeks.

“Now, our auction tonight will take place after dinner—we’ll feed you first, so you’re ready to spend.” Chuckles fill the room. “I’m so pleased that tonight’s auction is supporting a specific, new initiative for fostered omegas. Young omegas inall walks of life experience substantial difficulties through their formative teenage years, from hormonal imbalances to adjusting to dysregulated nervous systems. For fostered omegas, the risks are far higher.”

Carter slips a napkin into my free palm, his hand settling on my knee as Ronnie continues. “Teenage omegas face increased rates of physical and mental illness. Many are left without any form of support and without the physical environment they need in a strained system that cannot offer the one-to-one help needed for them to develop safely. Statistics show us that they are disproportionately likely to experience physical and sexual abuse. Too often, this results in tragic outcomes, and we as a society—as acommunity—need to do better. A new fund set up from tonight’s gala will be used to recruit and train a number of specialized support workers who will work specifically with displaced omegas across Blackwater. We will also be introducing dedicated packages to support young omegas to build a physical environment they can see as their own safe space, no matter where they are.”

I can feel Carter’s eyes on me, but I keep mine on the stage. “Our Nesting Bundles have been developed with help from omegas who have experienced the system for themselves. Each one includes a specially-created tent, moveable lighting and a bedding and blanket package which will be indefinitely funded by NestRest. Every single Blackwater omega entering the system will receive one. In time, we hope to expand the project nationally.”

Carter’s whisper brushes my ear. “You’ve been holding out on me.”

It’s happening. I can’t stop the tears, and I mentally bid farewell to my mascara as I scrub at my eyes to see the stage. Katie is bouncing in her seat, and we swap grins.

“This initiative was pitched to us by someone who has been heavily involved in the work of Equal Playing Field.”

Oh, no.